Obio/Akpor LGA Is Not Represented In Rivers Assembly, Ihunwo Cries Out
The Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, says he is worried that he does not have a representative in the Rivers State House of Assembly, following the defection of his former assembly member, Martin Amaewhule and the loss of his seat.
He said the people of Ward 1 in Obio/Akpor local government have greatly missed out on representation in the Rivers State House of Assembly more than a year after their former lawmaker, Amaewhule, lost his seat.
At a media parley on Tuesday, Ihunwo called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, as a matter of urgency, conduct a by-election to fill the void vacated by Amaewhule to give the people of Ward One a voice in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He said, “Our people are worried that we do not have a voice in the Rivers State House of Assembly since our former lawmaker, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the APC and lost his seat.”
“As a people, we are calling on INEC to heed our cries and conduct a by-election not just for our ward but for the entire twenty-seven vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly for effectiveness.
Ihunwo has also reacted to the proceedings at the Supreme Court on Monday.
He explained that the apex court did not confer any legitimacy on the twenty-seven former lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule.
Ihunwo said their celebration was a lack of understanding of the law and what transpired in court.
“The twenty-seven lawmakers know that they are gone; they were just celebrating in order to give their gullible supporters some hope when there is none at all.”
“During the proceeding, the apex court did not touch on their legitimacy but dwelled on the budget, which Governor Fubara withdrew his suit since their prayers had been overtaken by events, thereby opening an avenue for the matter to be dismissed. The issue of their defection has not yet gotten to the Supreme Court so there is no way the court can give judgment on a matter that is not before it,” he also said.
On the suit challenging their election as elected chairmen in Rivers State, the Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor local government, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, said he and twenty-two others are not losing sleep.
“How can we be worried when our people duly elected us on the 5th of October, 2024, through the ballots? Let me remind you that the Court of Appeal had already set the record straight that local government elections are state matters and that anyone who is not satisfied should start his or her challenge at the state high court and not the Federal High Court, so we are not perturbed because we will be on our seats for three years in the first instance,” he stated.
In the face of the political unrest, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo is soliciting more support for the Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, whom he described as a man with the fear of God and with conscience.
“Let us continue to support Governor Siminalayi Fubara; we can all see that he means well for the growth and development of Rivers State and that is why he has refused to let one man put this state inside his pocket. Let’s support our dear governor with prayers and stand firm with him in this difficult moment, which I’m certain will pass one day.” He asked.
In wrapping up his media chat, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo said Obio/Akpor local government is conducive to economic activities, explaining that his administration has slashed taxes by fifty per cent.
He also dismissed reports that officials of the council are harassing business operators and pointed accusing fingers at those opposing his administration and at Governor Siminalayi Fubara for working tirelessly to discredit his administration.
Obio/Akpor LGA Is Not Represented In Rivers Assembly, Ihunwo Cries Out is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
